London, Apr 12 (IANS): UK Home Secretary Priti Patel has apologised over failings on personal protective equipment (PPE) in the country during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, it was reported.

When pressed repeatedly to say sorry to National Health Service (NHS) workers over a lack of PPE at a press briefing here on Saturday, Patel said: "I'm sorry if people feel there have been failings," the Metro newspaper reported.

"It is inevitable that the demand and the pressures on PPE and demand for PPE are going to be exponential. They are going to be incredibly high.

"And of course we are trying to address that as a government," she added.

Patel's comments come after repeated complaints from NHS staff and medical experts that there has been a shortage of specialist equipment, amid suggestions that it has been putting lives at risk.

Nineteen NHS workers have now died after contracting the disease.

Meanwhile, NHS England medical director Stephen Powis said it was "absolutely critical" that PPE was distributed to all those working on the frontline "so that they not only are protected but they feel safe", the Metro newspaper reported.

"Clearly there is a global demand for personal protective equipment at the moment and that the government with our support is working night and day to ensure that we procure the PPE that we need."

The news came after the Department of Health said a total of 9,892 people had died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus, while the number of confirmed cases has increased to 79,885.